Northern Ireland group has ‘brilliant’ stay in northcentral PA
Thursday, May 1, 2025
Photos by Alexandra Butler, photographer/photo editor; Kimberly R. Cassel, college relations director; Shanin L. Dougherty, corporate relations officer; and Sue A. Mahaffey, manager, special projects & planning: enrollment & academic operations
A group of 10 students studying welding and electrical at North West Regional College in Derry, Northern Ireland, joined by two of their instructors, pause for a photo at Pennsylvania College of Technology. Penn College hosted the group for two weeks in April. ("Céad míle fáilte!" to our new friends. That's Gaelic for "a hundred thousand welcomes.")
“Brilliant” was an oft-repeated sentiment as recent visitors from Northern Ireland to Pennsylvania College of Technology discussed the time they spent on campus and in the region.
Ten students and two faculty members from North West Regional College in Derry spent two weeks in April attending Penn College classes, touring local industry and visiting area attractions.
“I always wanted to come to America, and it didn’t disappoint,” said Andrew Moore, who is studying electrical at NWRC. “Everyone here has been so welcoming.”
In addition to Moore, the contingent comprised electrical students Oisin Casey, Eoghan Barbour, Kealan McGurk and Oisin McGlinchey; and welding students Shea Doyle, Casey-Leigh Johnston, Jack McLaughlin, Ryan McLaughlin and David Moore. They were accompanied by welding instructor Shannon Cartin and electrical instructor John McFadden.
“I was over the moon,” said Doyle of learning he was selected.
In addition to spending time in the college’s “massive” welding lab and electrical facilities, the group explored other parts of campus and Penn State’s main campus, as well as local industry, thanks to tours provided by NRG Controls, PMF Industries and West Pharmaceutical Services.
“The automation and robotics opened my eyes,” McGlinchey said. “The way they’re teaching here is very progressive.”
Students and faculty in welding and electrical programs at North West Regional College in Derry, Northern Ireland, stop at a vista on the Williamsport Municipal Water Authority’s property. Joining the group are Penn College administrators Joanna K. Flynn (kneeling left), vice president for academic affairs/provost; President Michael J. Reed (standing center) and Anthony J. Pace (kneeling right), vice president for enrollment and academic operations.
Barbour noted that he saw a lot that he hadn’t been exposed to before – like injection molding. “The college lifestyle here is far different from back home,” he said. “It seems like you have great opportunities.”
The group also took a hike to explore the area’s natural beauty, and had outings at local stores (particularly those selling Carhartt clothing), restaurants and other attractions.
They summed up their trip with praise for the friendliness they encountered and plans for more travel.
“You made us feel at home, even though we are 3,000 miles away from home,” Cartin said.
Asked about life lessons they can’t wait to take back home, Ryan McLaughlin, who called the visit to the U.S. a “massive opportunity” he never thought he’d get, responded: “When growing up, I never got to travel. Going back home, I need to travel more.”
“Travel makes me the most happy I’ve ever been. It’s good to get out and see the world,” Andrew Moore, who travels frequently, said.
This is the third year a group from North West Regional College has made a visit to Penn College. The college consists of five campuses in Northern Ireland and enrolls over 10,000 students, studying a range of vocational and non-vocational subjects.
For information about Penn College, a national leader in applied technology education, email the Admissions Office or call toll-free 800-367-9222.
NWRC electrical student Oisin McGlinchey, who’s also pursuing electrical and electronic engineering, called the visit “a blast from start to finish.” An athlete in Gaelic and soccer, a visit to Penn State’s Beaver Stadium was among his highlights – as were the automation and robotics he witnessed.
The NWRC students thermoform plaques in the college’s plastics and polymer engineering facilities.
Christopher J. Gagliano, director of the college's Plastics Innovation & Resource Center, introduces the group to plastics manufacturing.
PMF Industries is among three local manufacturers who provided tours to the global visitors.
A longtime partner of the college, PMF employs Penn College graduates ...
... and its world-renowned flow-forming process was a notable highlight for the group.
At a farewell event and presentation, Kaelan McGurk, an NWRC electrical student, talks about his studies and his Penn College visit. Among his highlights was a session with Craig A. Miller, professor of history/political science, on American politics.
A tour of local attractions must include the Penn College Community Arts Center, a historic theater in downtown Williamsport.
On the arts center balcony! The venue recently hosted Bob Dylan and Josh Turner, but also serves as a venue for many local organizations – and Penn College’s upcoming commencement ceremonies.
Welding student Casey-Leigh Johnston talks with Penn College’s Rob Hinkal, social media specialist, and Braxton A. Shope, assistant video producer, about her visit.
Exploration of the area includes watching a Lycoming College baseball game. From left are electrical student Eoghan Barbour, instructor John McFadden and welding student David Moore.
“You made us feel at home even though we are 3,000 miles from home,” NWRC welding instructor Shannon Cartin tells a Penn College group.
Ready for takeoff at the college’s Lumley Aviation Center are Jack McLaughlin and Ryan McLaughlin.
Ryan McLaughlin chats about chain mail with Joseph E. LeBlanc, assistant professor of physics. LeBlanc joined Andrea Campbell, assistant dean of curriculum and instruction; Daniel J. Clasby, assistant dean of academic operations; Naim N. Jabbour, associate professor of architecture; Craig A. Miller, professor of history/political science; Tosh Shahrtash, assistant professor of mathematics; and Jennifer R. Wahl, instructor of social sciences, on a “My Story” faculty panel.
The visitors learn a new yard game.
“I am very thankful to come to Penn College,” said David Moore, an NWRC welding student. “I loved it.”
The guests gets a taste of the area’s natural beauty on a Williamsport Municipal Water Authority trail.
Shelley L. Moore, senior director of the Center for Career Design, reviews the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator.
The athletic group unwinds at Liberty Arena’s batting cages.
Andrew Moore, studying electrical, accepts a certificate from Lisa Mendler, coordinator of president’s office operations, and Anthony J. Pace, vice president for enrollment and academic operations, who were instrumental, along with Sue A. Mahaffey, manager of special projects planning, in hosting the Northern Ireland contingent.
A parting shot of our new friends. (“Slán go fóill" translates to “Goodbye, for now.”)